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Home / Appetizers

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels

4.28
/5
15 minutes minutes
48 Comments
Jump to Recipe Print Pin
By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 06/07/2017

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

A creamy filling made with chicken taco flavors is spread over a soft flour tortilla and rolled up to make the most delicious Mexican pinwheels ever!

These Mexican pinwheels are perfect for ANY party or get together!  Made with mouthwatering chicken taco flavors, they’re a favorite with both kids and adults!

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.comIt’s party time!! I actually had these at a get together with my in-laws, and my mother-in-law had made these.  Like me, she loves to cook, so naturally we were talking about the food, and she mentioned that she’d found this recipe on Old El Paso‘s site. I tweaked it, based on our tastes, and I love the final product!

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

I like a LOT of cilantro flavor, so if you’re not a huge fan, feel free to adjust that amount to your liking.  As a bonus, these aren’t spicy at all, so even the kiddos can snack on these Mexican pinwheels!  You could also experiment with different flavored tortillas as the wraps.

While these are PERFECT for a party, they’re also fun to have as an afternoon snack or a fun dinner (I like to pair them with a salad… this one is my fav!).  There’s something so ridiculously fun about getting to eat with your hands isn’t there?

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

I think these Mexican pinwheels are pretty amazing as is, but if you’re looking for some other add-ins or toppers, here are some great options:

  • finely minced jalapeños (fresh or canned)
  • roasted poblanos
  • minced sautéed onions
  • cooked small corn kernels 
  • drizzle sour cream over the top (or Mexican crema)
  • scoop some guacamole on top before eating (try this one!)
  • experiment with a different sour cream to cream cheese ratio (the more sour cream you use, the “wetter” the filling will be)

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

Like with most pinwheels, once you roll up the tortilla, you’ll want to chill them in the refrigerator (the whole rolls) for a bit, so they firm up.  Otherwise, when you go to slice them, they’ll get mashed and sort of fall apart.  I recommend using a sharp serrated knife, it makes slicing the 1 inch sections a breeze!

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

I really hope you all give these a try… whether it’s for a party, cookout, snack or dinner… I really think you’ll love them as much as we sure do!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels

4.28 from 33 votes
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Calories: 40
Servings: 80 pinwheels (approximately 8 per person)
(hover over # to adjust)
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A creamy filling made with chicken taco flavors is spread over a soft flour tortilla and rolled up to make the most delicious Mexican pinwheels ever!

Ingredients

  • 12 oz cream cheese, softened to room temp (my packages are 8oz, so I used a package and a half)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded chicken **see recipe notes below
  • 1.5 Tbsp taco seasoning (choose your favorite)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
  • 10 oz can of diced tomatoes with green chiles, very well drained
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic, finely minced
  • 5 green onions, sliced thinly
  • 3/4 - 1 cup cilantro, chopped finely (adjust to your tastes)
  • 8 burrito sized flour tortillas
  • fresh minced cilantro, for garnish optional

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, stirring until well combined.
  • Lay flour tortilla down on work surface and spread about 1/4 cup (amount will vary from person to person) evenly over the tortilla, leaving a 1/2 - 1 inch border all around.
  • Start at the bottom of the tortilla (closest to you), and roll up tightly towards the top, like a cigar.  Place roll seam side down on prepared pan.
  • Repeat with remaining tortillas and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes to several hours to chill and firm up.
  • Use a sharp, serrated knife to slice roll into 1 inch pinwheels and serve.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Chef Tips

  1. Recipe preparation time does not count chilling time, as that will vary from person to person.
  2. If you have leftover filling, it can be frozen (in a sealed bag or airtight container) for up to 2 months

SHREDDED CHICKEN RECOMMENDATIONS:

  • Tequila Lime Chicken - cook as directed, then shred (this gives the best flavor)
  • Leftover cooked chicken from another recipe
  • Rotisserie chicken 
  • Canned chicken (this is the easiest option, but not the best flavor)

Video

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

Did You Make This?Tag @the_chunky_chef on Instagram and hashtag it #thechunkychef so I can see what you made!
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Chicken Taco Mexican Pinwheels | These pinwheels are filled with a creamy chicken taco filling, which is easily customizable, and rolled up to make a perfect appetizer or party food! | http://thechunkychef.com

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Meet The Chunky Chef

Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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4.28 from 33 votes (22 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




  1. Michelle says

    Posted on 4/19 at 9:45 pm

    Would these be ok to be made up the night before and chilled over night?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 4/19 at 10:06 pm

      They sure would 🙂

      Reply
  2. Nicole says

    Posted on 4/1 at 2:08 pm

    Made them and used the hot and spicy taco mix. It was a hit.

    Reply
  3. Maggie Unzueta says

    Posted on 10/12 at 5:37 am

    This looks insanely, incredibly good. Sooo yummy!

    Reply
  4. Mary says

    Posted on 6/12 at 6:57 pm

    Awesome!!!! Made my tastebuds dance! Thank you for sharing such a joyful and wonderful recipe.😊😊

    Reply
  5. sher says

    Posted on 5/28 at 2:20 pm

    Do you think these can be made in advance? Or another way to put it, how long will they keep in the refrig?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 5/28 at 8:08 pm

      Hi Sher 🙂 I’ve made these the night before serving them, but never tried it for longer than that.

      Reply
  6. Steph says

    Posted on 3/14 at 10:50 am

    Has anyone added fresh jalapeños to this? If so did they also use the tomatoes with the green chili’s or maybe just a can of regular tomatoes? This recipe looks great!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 3/14 at 1:08 pm

      I’ve never tried it (maybe another reader can chime in), but I think fresh minced jalapeños would be fabulous in these! Depending on your heat tolerance, you could use regular petite diced tomatoes to keep it semi-mild, or go for the tomatoes and green chiles to make it spicier 🙂

      Reply
  7. Portia says

    Posted on 2/4 at 12:48 am

    Made these for game day. They were fantabulous!! My husband and I ended up hiding some back for us because they were going so fast. Will definitely make again and again. Thanks for such tasty goodness!!!

    Reply
  8. SuebeeQ says

    Posted on 1/14 at 8:31 pm

    I had two poached chicken breast leftover so I adjusted the amount of ingredients accordingly. Instead of packaged taco mix I made my own combo of chili, oregano, cumin and garlic powder. I also substituted parsley for cilantro. I cut the chicken in chunks and chopped it up in the food processor then added all the other ingredients and pulsed until it was a smooth mixture. This was good right out of the processor but it was even better after it sat in the fridge a while. This made a lot so even after spreading it on tortillas I had some leftover. This will make a great sandwich spread. That is if it lasts. It’s so good that I keep sneaking spoonfuls of it. Will definitely make again. Thanks for this tasty and easy recipe.

    Reply
  9. Darlene says

    Posted on 10/25 at 12:31 am

    Mine is a question….What do you consider Mexican cheese?

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/25 at 7:52 am

      Hi Darlene 🙂 You can use any cheese you’d like.. the one I usually use is a bag (I believe it’s Sargento brand), that says Mexican blend cheese.

      Reply
  10. cecilia says

    Posted on 7/20 at 9:26 pm

    gonna take to potluck, it would sit out for 3 hrs. in shade. any suggestions, i dont want anybody getting sick. can make \at home, then transport to party.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 7/20 at 9:33 pm

      Hi Cecilia 🙂 I think they should be okay… but you could always set the plate of pinwheels on a bowl full of ice so they keep reasonably chilled.

      Reply
  11. Jessica | The Novice Chef says

    Posted on 6/13 at 8:37 am

    I can think of so many times to make these~! Perfect for snacks, appetizers, lunch or even a light dinner!

    Reply
  12. Cookin Canuck says

    Posted on 6/12 at 10:12 am

    These would be awesome to pack up for a summertime picnic! Love the flavors in here.

    Reply
  13. Melissa @ Insider The Kitchen says

    Posted on 6/9 at 10:42 pm

    OMGoodness!! This was fabulous and soooooo tasty! I used wheat burrito tortillas and chopped up the spinach and added it to the chicken mix!

    Reply
  14. Cathy Trochelman says

    Posted on 6/9 at 6:58 am

    These look seriously perfect! I bet they’re the first things to go at a party!

    Reply
  15. Dee says

    Posted on 6/8 at 11:37 pm

    These are making me hungry! I happen to like the green tortillas, but my kids run from those, too!

    Reply
  16. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

    Posted on 6/8 at 10:00 pm

    I love these! Not only are they pretty (pretty party food!), but loving the taco take you’ve incorporated. I’ll be bits of poblanos would be fab, too!

    Reply
  17. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

    Posted on 6/8 at 9:43 pm

    Those look sooo good – love the ingredient combo!

    Reply
  18. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

    Posted on 6/8 at 7:05 pm

    These are my kind of appetizer! I thought they were perfect until I read you tips for toppings. WOW! How will I ever choose?

    Reply
  19. Stephanie says

    Posted on 6/8 at 10:00 am

    What beautiful creations my friend!!! I love ALL of the flavors in these bad boys, especially the cilantro- I’m so with you there. I am obsessed with that stuff! 😉 These are perfect to bring to summer get-together’s, I bet they disappear FAST!

    Reply
  20. Neha Mathur says

    Posted on 6/8 at 4:08 am

    These pinwheels have my heart. So pretty.

    Reply
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